Noting that the issue should be tackled through diplomacy, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said that Malaysia was not in favour of more economic sanctions against fellow Asean member Myanmar as that would hit the people who were already suffering from deprivation.

China and India should play their roles in bringing peace and stability to Myanmar, the Minister said over the weekend.

He also ruled out the possibility of military action the regime, saying such a move as "contrary to international law," Bernama news agency reported.

The minister said the junta should begin immediate talks with pro-democracy supporters led by Aung San Suu Kyi and said the government should be committed to implementing the "road map" for peace as promised.

"Both sides should meet without any precondition to discuss the future of Myanmar before the international community piles on the pressure (against the regime)," Albar was quoted as saying.

Syed Hamid described the separate meetings between UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari and Suu Kyi as well as the regime's top general, Than Shwe, as a "positive and constructive" development.